Breakfast at Baltusrol Celebrates Our Promise to Children

Our Promise to Children Breakfast.

Nearly 200 friends and acquaintances of Family Promise gathered at Baltusrol Golf Club on October 18 for a one-hour breakfast program called Our Promise to Children. They were in attendance both to offer support as well as to learn about how we help homeless families achieve sustainable independence.

Family Promise Chair Cary Hardy served as emcee for the event. Karen Olson, Founder and President, spoke of the great need being addressed by Family Promise. One in every four homeless people in the United States are children and families are the fastest growing segment of the homeless population. Homeless children are far more likely to get sick, develop emotional problems, and do poorly in school than other kids. She shared with the guests her abiding belief--which has informed Family Promise over the past twenty-five years--that one child homeless is one too many.

Board Chair Cary Hardy.

A former Bergen County guest’s speech was the highpoint of the morning. She spoke movingly about finding Family Promise at a time in her life when she and her son, Jamal, had nowhere left to turn. Within a matter of months, with the help of the volunteers at Bergen’s host congregations, she had a new job, Jamal was enrolled in Bergen Catholic High School, and they had moved into their own apartment.

Breakfast Sponsors.

Sixteen table captains gave freely of their time and passion, filling the room to capacity with their invitees. Trustee Neely Dodge addressed the room to close out the program, inviting the financial support of those in attendance. Our guests responded with tremendous generosity, donating nearly $150,000 in gifts and pledges. Family Promise is grateful for all who attended and offers heartfelt thanks for their support.

Family Promise President, Karen Olson, addressed the guests about the history of he organization and how Family Promise works. You can view her address by clicking on the arrow on the video screen below.